Acupuncturists help ease post-Katrina stress

A
New Orleans resident is given accupuncture treatment at the Common
Ground clinic in the city's Ninth Ward. Photo Courtesy of
Katrina Information Network

The
idea that pins and needles could help people may be a revelation for
many, but Acupuncturists Without Borders has used the ancient healing
art to soothe the stress, aches, pains, tired minds and muscles of
residents, relief workers and National Guardsmen struggling under the
weight of surviving and rebuilding a city and region still feeling the
effects of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

Acupuncturists
Without Borders, founded after Katrina hit New Orleans, has been
working in New Orleans since October 2005. The name is based on the
more familiar group of social service doctors who provide medical needs
in areas of crisis. Rotating teams of volunteer
acupuncturists from across the country come to offer their free
services community style. They work at health clinics, food
distribution centers, Red Cross shelters, mobile units, churches, and
the tent cities and hotels housing relief workers.

Acupuncturists Without Borders volunteers travel in teams throughout
the city and nearby towns. “We see people of every color, different
cultures, and enjoy doing our small part to help make the city whole,”
said Diana Fried, the group's executive director.

'Put a pin in it'

“New
Orleans remains a very difficult place to live and work. "People are
under tremendous pressure to keep things together and we are doing what
we can to help, Fried says. The practitioners with her nonprofit
organization are experienced, licensed, and follow recognized treatment
guidelines. "We also bring a different understanding to what ‘put a pin
in it' means,” Fried added.

Treatments last
from 30-60 minutes with fully clothed patients sitting in chairs. The
protocol AWB uses involves needles on the ears and other accessible
body points. Done in groups, community-style acupuncture can help break
the isolation often felt after traumatic events. Even those who resist
traditional treatment for Acute Stress Disorder are often willing to
receive acupuncture. “The treatments support rebuilding strength and
resiliency that is essential for the recovery process. Acupuncture
treatments have a calming effect and help those struggling with anger,
hostility and frustration,” Fried says.

Following
Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, the state's governor issued an
executive order to allow out-of-state doctors and other licensed
medical professionals to provide emergency services to patients.
Questions remain about the future of Acupuncturists Without
Borders and other out-of-state medical professionals.

“There
is so much devastation, so much to clean up, so much homelessness,”
said Geralynn “Gigi” Felicetta, an acupuncturist from San Diego, who
performs her work in the Ninth Ward. At the corner of Claiborne and
Pauline, Felicetta could observe food lines, ice coolers provided in
the absence of refrigeration, makeshift shelters, sleeping bags,
and rubbish, along with abandoned and condemned buildings. These sights
have made a distinct impression on her. “It is like a war zone in
America,” she said. "but there is so much spirit, the spirit cannot be
broken.”

Richard Muhammad, is the editor
and publisher of StraightWords. He has been managing editor of The Final Call
newspaper, published by the Minister Louis Farrakhan and the Nation
of Islam.